⁷After a season of great transition Espanyol go into the end of season with next seasons plans already fulfilled. Next season they will enter the youth cup for the first time under the current managers guidance, with a roster of no fewer than 30 under 21 players. “Its took a long time to build a non existent youth team for the long term stability of the club and ultimately we’ve had to sacrifice including our division 1 status. However we embark on a new chapter in division 2 with the roots well in trully in the ground.”
It would be difficult to argue the managers point when we take a closer look.

Prestinanni age 16 – Now ranked as the 3rd most valuable player born in 2016. A player who has already made his first team breakthrough in the top flight in Argentina and has represented his country already in various age groups. Its scary to think he does not turn 17 until the new year and is seen as one of the clubs most valuable assets.

Damjanic age 16- A croatian youth international who has gone under the radar to date, but great things are expected of the young centre back. With time very much on his side, he is one who will start to blossom over the coming years.

Ashley Phillips – Age 17, already deemed as one of the most valuable players born in 2005 in world football, he is already a regurlar at both club and country with him now being elevated as first choice for England under 19’s despite only just turning 17. Manchester united, Chelsea and Spurs all attempted to prevent him signing his first professional contract with Blackburn this winter, offering substantial wages. However he opted to stay which has conincided with his first team breakthrough.

Nicolo Tresoldi age 18 – The Hannover star is having a breakthrough season in Germany and is playing regurlar. From Italian descent his ability to pick out the right ball and creative flair saw him make his debut for Germany under 19s this month. Seen as a centre forward, there is a lot of hype around the player and having just turned 18, is one who will start to become a little more known over the next couple of seasons.

Kevin Keben 18 – The Cameroonian has broke into the first team at Toulouse this season after a promising time in their youth set up. An imposing 6ft2 Centre back, with top flight minutes under his belt in France, he is one seen as a bit of a wild card by the club as a potential break out star in the making.

Juan Carlos Guato 18- Argentina has been a hunting ground the manager knows well and made the move to snap up Gauto in August. Now an important part of Huracan’s first team and Argentina under 20 side the talented wide player is highly rated in his country and along with Prestinanni is part of a potential new golden generation of Argentinian stars.

Jewison Bennette 18.- a full international with 7 caps already for Costa Rica which included 2 goals against a star studded South Korea recently, he will go to the world cup this winter on a stage where he can announce to the world what he is all about. A recent transfer to Sunderland sees him now plying his trade in a competitive Championship. He is lightening quick, tricky and having not long turned 18, is one of the more likely members of the youth team to make an impact in next seasons top100 youth cup.

Tim Oermann 19 – Bochum’s struggles in the Bundesliga has a created a recent path for Oermann to break into the first team at the heart of their defence. Still very Raw and could be anything. However to be getting minutes already in the top flight of Germany, time is very much on his side. Seen as a long term prospect by Espanyol he will no doubt get some minutes in the youth cup next season.

Mario Mitaj 19 – just turned 19 and already a full international for Albania, the manager expects the young left back to be part of both the youth cup and first team cup sides next season. Plying his trade in the top flight in Russia, an international footballer, and just 19, there is not much to not like regarding his potential.

Ignacio Maestro Puch 19 – Another Argentinian that the Manager was thrilled to land. Highly rated in his country and already playing for his country and club as part of the team which has been challenging for the title this season he is seen as one who will start going up through the ratings sooner rather than later. The team has some talented youth centre forwards, and Puch is very much in there as one of the most promising on Espanyol’s books.

Rios Novo 20 – Getting a decent youth keeper has taken an age, but in Novo Espanyol have one with now over 40 first team games in the top flight and over 20 caps at different age groups for Argentina. “He is still very much learning the game, but has had so much first team exposure for one so young. He is continuing to improve and was the Catalyst of us opting to enter the youth cup next season”

Maksim Mukhin 20 – One of the young stars of Russia both at club and Country, the versatile midfielder has been recently snapped up from Shakhter by Espanyol. Seen as a key part of the youth team, Mukhin is a player seen as someone who will at some point make the first team in the league and will be part of the cup teams next season too. “Was a player we pushed to sign when opting to let a few very talented players head the other way. I like the look of him and has a massive future in the game”

Ezequiel Fernandez 20 – Espanyol paid big to capture the Argentinian midfielder last close season when just a 73 rated midfielder. Well scouted and courted by the manager, it was enough of a reason to swap him for Perraud which at the time may have looked expensive. However Fernandez has gone on to make 41 first team appearances at club level in Argentina this season and is seen as one who will really break out this forthcoming season to cement his place in both the youth and cup team. “Really like this lad, and no doubt the suitors will start to line up as next season progresses given how well he is doing at both club and international.

Matias Galarza 20 – Another Argentinian snapped up cheaply who has already made a £6 million move to Belgium since signing for Espanyol after some startling performances in Argentina. The attacking midfielder cites De Bruyne as a player he tries to model his game on, and the reason he chose to join Genk given thats where KDB started off. “He has had a big move already and i’m sure this will see his stock and rating grow. We are hoping he will progress during the youth cup in rating and become a key player in that competition”

Moises Caicedo 20. If you are gonna spend big on a youth player then make him a good one, was the statement Espanyol put down when securing the signature of Ecuadorian international Caicedo. Flying at Brighton, all the top clubs in England are hovering to make him the next big money signing for their squads. Within an hour of Espanyol signing the player the team was offered 90 plus players from two clubs to secure him next. However he is seen as a long term investment and future club captain. “You can never say never when it comes to selling players, but in Caicedo’s case it would take something incredible to even entertain the thought. He is a player we desperately wanted, one we thought was out of reach and one we gave top players for. I fully expect him to be in and around our first team this season and with Vencedor gives us a strong youth team Centre midfield”.

Moses Usor 20 – We’ve been tracking his career with interest and was waiting for him to be added to the database. We was very surprised that only us and Leicester went for him and then pleasantly surprised when Leicester pulled out by accident leaving us alone to snap him up. He has velcro boots and when in full flight on the dribble a tricky player to stop. We are expecting big things from him and are delighted his future is here at Espanyol

Jan Thielmann – Football Golden boy shortlister the talented German under 21 international is already the darling of Koln and making a massive impact in the Bundesliga. “We are patiently waiting for his stock, value and ratings to keep rising. He is without doubt the one player we have in the youth who is going to be interesting more and more clubs over the next season or two. Another who we paid a lot for when getting him from Liverpool when Wijnaldrum headed out the door. He was a purchase with the long term very much on our mind”.

Konstantin Tyukavin 20 – another of the golden generation of Russia, this tricky centre forward is already a full international and established first team player in the top flight in Russia. We are at that time where strikers are getting old and it is hoped that Tyukavin at some point will get that big move in real life which has been courted for the last 18 months. He has undoubted talent and at just 20 the potential to be be a star.

Flavius Daniliuc 21 – The versatile Austrain international has been one with a big reputation for a while. A summer move to the top flight in Italy has seen him establish himself as a mainstay at the back for Salernitana. “Daniliuc will be a key player for us in both the youth and first team cups next season. He continues to mature and we are hoping at some point will come into the first team reckoning given his ability to play anywhere across the back and also in central midfield”

Unai Vencedor 21 – our highest rated youth player for next season at 87, we brought him in for Fofana from Barcelona with one eye on the long term future. A member of our first team squad also, he got minutes for us this season and also found the net. He had undoubted talent and time on his side. We’ve had a few offers this season for him, but unless someone is offerinf a 90 plus player, they can forget it. He is one for the long term and will be key for us in the youth cup”

Yuri Alberto 21 – recently brought back to the club , the talented Brazilian scores goals for fun and is already very valuable in real life. This time he is back to stay and will lead our youth team atrack next season. We see him as one of our long term first choice striker options with Kolo Muani and is the main reason we opted to go with Southampton’s offer on Trossard. The Russian war has seen him return to Brazil on loan, but I do not expect it to be too long before he ends up in one of the bigger leagues in Europe.

Yorbe Vertessen 21 – we have tracked the Belgium youngster for a while and in terms of purchases letting Gonzalez go as part of the deak which saw us bag Vertessen was not a decision we took lightly. He has talent, an eye for goal an very versatile. He will give us good options in the youth cup, but also has the potential to become part of our first team in seasons to come. Already capped at all age groups by Belgium, and playing first team for PSV in holland, he has it all in his path to kick on.

Jamie Leweling 21 – The highly rated German under 2-1 International is also joning us this close season. A youth team starter and first team cup starter, he now needs to show the early promise his career was showing. An 84 rated youth player shows there is potential in there and hopefully over the next year he can start to fulfil that early promise.

Akinkunki Amoo 20 – A deal was agreed for his signature before the start of last season and will finally join this close season after the 3 club deal rule delayed this one. Sadly an injury in real life has slowed his progress over the last few months, following a club record move to Copenhagen. Still only 20, with plenty of first team games and international recognition, we are hoping over the next year he gets back to showing everyone what he can do.

Nicolas Castro 21 – another Argentina who made a big money move to Genk, and is joining us from Standard Liege. He is eligible for the youth cup and has a big reputation. We are hoping that promise shown in Argentina continues in belgium and he can continue to rise the ratings.

Guiliano Simeone – 19 , son of Argentine legend Diego Simeone and 29 goals in 51 games for Athletico Madrids b team, he has been loaned to Real Zaragoza this season and has continued to score on a regular basis. “We see him as an exceptional talent. He knows where the net is and being a big club in real life is a massive plus. We expect him to rise this season, but it will probably be a season or two before we really see what we have on our hands here”